In the Merchant of Venice explore Shakespeare's presentation as a villain and as a victim.

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Introduction

Jack Cooper 2nd draft In the Merchant of Venice explore Shakespeare's presentation as a villain and as a victim. Shakespeare presents shylock, in the Merchant of Venice as a villain and as a victim. In this essay I will explain my views and thoughts. I believe that Shakespeare presents Shylock as a victim just as well as a villain. one of the main ways we see this, is Antonio's attitude towards Shylock. In 1.3 it says in the text "rheum upon my beard." This shows us the lack of respect to Shylock, but in the same scene Shakespeare presents Shylock as a villain by saying in the text "now you need my help!." ...read more.

Middle

Shakespeare also displays Shylock as a villain in 3.2 when Antonio says "hear me not good Shylock," but Shylock interrupts and forcefully says " I'll have my bond, speak not against my bond, I hath sworn an oath against my bond!". This shows us that Shylock is not going to give up with his bond and has convinced himself that he will be going home with a pound of Antonio's flesh. Shakespeare gives us the feeling that Shylock is being bullied in many ways. We know this when we learn about shylocks profession. He can only do work that is put out for Jews. ...read more.

Conclusion

However, Shylock has characteristics of a villain, we can see this because Shylock must have his revenge on Antonio by not giving him any le-way with their bond, "I will have my bond, speak not against my bond!" One of the main ways Shakespeare presents Shylock as a victim is in 4.1 when Gratiano says "O be thou damn'd, incredible dog, to hold opinion with Pythagoras!" This is showing us that shylock is seen to Christians as a pagan. On the whole Shakespeare shows us in more than one way that Shylock is a victim as well as a villain. But he mainly presents shylock as a victim in my point of view. I believe this because Shakespeare shows Shylock as a villain 4 times and as a victim 5 times. By Jack Cooper ...read more.

Related GCSE The Merchant of Venice essays

The fact that Shylock is a villain and Shylock is a Jew are inseparable in the eyes of the audience. He is rarely called by name but referred to as "the Jew", often with a derogatory adjective included. Shylock is presented as a villain and a hypocrite right from the beginning of the play.

This therefore creates sympathy for Shylock because he is very religious and he clings to his faith and money for support. His own daughter has taken the two things that mean the most to him, but none of the Christians care.

This increases the dramatic tension, because if the ship belongs to Antonio then he will not be able to pay for the bond. This is especially worrying, as with Shylock raging for his lost daughter and money, he will have no qualms about exacting the penalty of a pound of flesh.

by this the Jew may claim a pound of flesh" but she turns the tables on him when she tells him that the bond "...doth give thee here no jot of blood" meaning that Shylock can take his pound of flesh but there must be no blood shed.

Their attitude towards him probably comes from watching their betters (like Antonio and his friends) taunt and jeer Shylock, not because shylock is an evil man. Because of the feelings of sympathy which are developing for shylock, we begin to wonder if Lancelot, his servant is truly representing the facts when he complains of shylocks treatment of him.

Shylock's business as Antonio loans money out to his friends without charging interest. This shows quite a negative attitude towards Antonio and Christians. The reference to an 'ancient grudge' could also represent the treatment of Jews through the ages by Christians in general.

This gives an image of revenge, which portrays Shylock in a negative light, meaning he isn't forgiving. This is very anti-Christian, as Christians are meant to be forgiving, while Shylock is the opposite of this. This is another point on why Shylock is argued as a villain.

has an 'evil soul' also that he is 'like a villain with a smiling cheek.' Shylock lives with his daughter Jessica and Christian servant Lancelot. It is strange he has a Christian servant as Christians are more respected than the Jews.